134 MEXICO. 
" Montezuma was seated on a low throne or chair, at a table proper- 
tioned to the height of his seat. The table was covered with white cloths 
and napkins, and four beautiful women presented him with water for his 
hands, in vessels which they call xicales, with other vessels under them, 
like plates, to catch the water. They also presented him with towels. 
" Then two other women brought small cakes of bread, and, when the 
King began to eat, a large screen of gilded wood was placed before him, 
so that during that period people should not behold him. The women 
having retired to a little distance, four ancient lords stood by the throne, 
to whom Montezuma, from time to time, spoke or addressed questions, and 
as a mark of particular favor, gave to each of them a plate of that which 
he was eating. I was told that these old lords, who M^ere his near rela- 
tions, were also counsellors and judges. The plates which Montezuma 
presented to them they received with high respect, eating what was on 
them without taking their eyes off the ground. He was served in earth- 
enware of Cholula, red and black. While the King was at the table, 
no one of his guards in the vicinity of his apartment dared, for their 
lives, make any noise. Fruit of all kinds produced in the country, was 
laid before him ; he ate very little ; but, from time to time, a liquor pre- 
pared from COCO- and of a stimulative quality, as we were told, was pre- 
sented to him in golden cups. We. could not, at that time, see whether 
he drank it or not ; but I observed a number of jars, above fifty, brought 
in, filled with foaming chocolate, of which he took some that the women 
presented him. 
" At different intervals during the time of dinner, there entered certain 
Indians, humpbacked, very deformed, and ugly, who played tricks of 
buffoonery ; and others who, they said, were jesters. There wa^s also a 
company of singers and dancers, who affoi'ded Montezuma much enter- 
tainment To these he ordered the vases of chocolate to be distributed. 
The four female attendants then took away the cloths, and again, with 
much respect, presented him with water to wash his hands, during which 
time Montezuma conferred with the four old noblemen formerly men- 
tioned, after which they took their leave with many ceremonies.- 
" One thing I forgot (and no wonder,) to mention in its place, and that 
is, that during the time that Montezuma was at dinner, two very beautiful 
women were busily employed making small cakes* with eggs and other 
things mixed therein. These were delicately white, and, when made, 
they presented them to him on plates covered with napkins. Also anothei 
kind of bread was brought to him in long leaves, and plates of cakes re 
sembling wafers. 
" After he had dined, they presented to him three little canes, highly 
ornamented, containing liquid-amber, mixed with an herb they call to- 
bacco; and when he had sufficiently viewed and heard the singers, dancers, 
and buffoons, he took a little of the smoke of one of these canes, and then 
laid himself down to sleep, 
* No doubt tortillas, or maize cakes— still the staff of life with all the Indians, and, indeed, a favorite and 
daily food of all classes of Mexicanit. 
